I hope you are getting the opportunity to enjoy the cooler temperatures and get outside. This month, we have many fun events happening in Surprise that will give you that chance, whether it be Surprise Fiesta Grande, Surprise Day of Service, Sunday in the Park, G.A.I.N. Night, catching one of the Fall League tournaments and much more. For more information on these events, please visit our website calendar at surpriseaz.gov/calendar.
City Manager Appointment
The Surprise City Council unanimously voted to appoint someone familiar to serve as the next City Manager. I am sure most of you remember Bob Wingenroth who served as our City Manager from June 2014 to November 2018. He began his service to Surprise in 2013 as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Assistant City Manager.
In each role, he earned many successes for Surprise. Prior to joining the Surprise team in 2013, Bob served as the City Manager of Anaheim, CA from 2012-2013 and as the city’s CFO from 2010-2012. He also spent 28 years with the city of Phoenix, departing as the Finance Director. He is a life-long public servant. Bob will resume his service to Surprise on December 13, 2021.
Surprise Fiesta Grande Street Festival Returns
The Surprise Fiesta Grande street festival celebrates the city’s cultural heritage and features mariachi music, a piñata plaza, games, food, music, dancing, kids’ zone, classic car show, live entertainment and more. The celebration will be held on Saturday, October 9 from 5 - 10 p.m. outside the Villanueva Recreation Complex, located at 15660 N. Hollyhock St. in the Grand Ave. corridor.
As a celebration of our cultural heritage, the festival generally falls within National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is September 15 to October 15. National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures of both Hispanic and Latino Americans and pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. The City is proud to celebrate its Hispanic heritage this month and all throughout the year! For more information on the Surprise Fiesta Grande, please visit surpriseaz.gov/fiestagrande.
G.A.I.N. Night
Surprise Public Safety officials invite you to attend the upcoming G.A.I.N Night (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods) on October 23 from 5-9 p.m. at Mark Coronado Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave. This annual event is designed to bring community members together to enhance relationships between neighbors and public safety officials with one common goal, to make our community safer. We can build a safer community by working together, knowing our neighbors and our surroundings.
This FREE, family event will have plenty of great entertainment, live music, activities for kids, trick or treating, and much more. The Salvation Army will be accepting non-perishable food donations for the holidays. Your donation will impact those in need and is greatly appreciated!
Surprise Day of Service
We are looking for volunteers for our Surprise Day of Service on Saturday, October 16. Volunteers will participate in various projects throughout the city including landscaping, painting, trimming of shrubs, debris removal and more. The neighborhood revitalization and cleanup event assists neighborhoods and homeowners who may not be physically or financially able to maintain their homes as required by local codes.
Individuals and groups can register with Larry Garcia at Larry.Garcia@surpriseaz.gov or 623 222-1522. Groups, please submit a group name and estimated number of volunteers - limited to no more than 10 people. Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Surprise Senior Center, 15832 N. Hollyhock St., before venturing out to various cleanup and beautification projects across the city. Projects will run until approximately noon.
Pavement Preservation
Drivers can anticipate lane restrictions while the city performs pavement preservation activities on the following roadways, weather permitting:
Parkview Place, Bell Road to Greenway Road – October 15-23
Milling work will occur overnight between the hours of 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. Daytime work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes while pavement preservation work is occurring.
View a complete list and maps of pavement preservation projects at surpriseaz.gov/ppp.
